Boxerdoodles aren’t purebred canines but a cross between the Boxer and Poodle. Also known as Boxerpoos, we know that this adorable Poodle mix breed is intelligent, friendly, and playful, just like its parent breeds.
Do you plan on owning a Boxerdoodle for you and the family? Before you do, let’s take a look at how the Boxerdoodle came to be.
Poodle Boxer Mix Breeds History
The Boxer Poodle doesn’t have a long history, as it was most likely created in the United States back in the 1980s. But the Boxer and Poodle have long and fascinating histories!
While we’re familiar with the history of the Poodle, who originated in Germany as a duck hunting dog and waterfowl retriever. But what about the Boxer?
The Boxer originated from Germany, bred in the 19th century from hunting dogs. The breed then arrived in the USA in 1903, and the United States Army used the Boxer as an attack dog, guard dog, messenger, and pack carrier during World War 1.
Today, people own Boxers as a companion, though they make excellent watchdogs with their watchful and alert attitude.
Poodle Boxer Mix Appearance
Many people love the Boxer Poodle because of its unique appearance. The mixed breed’s appearance tends to differ as a puppy may favor one parent or the other.
You can expect a Boxer Poodle to have a wavy and curly coat like a Poodle or the Boxer’s smooth and short coat. Sometimes, they can have a combination of both types of coats! These poodles come in various colors, though the most common coat color is in the shade of brown.
If this hybrid dog breed inherits most of the Poodle’s coat genes, he may also have a hypoallergenic coat!
Boxerdoodles are small to medium-sized, growing 10-24 inches tall and weighing between 12-80 pounds.
Boxerdoodle Temperament
While the Boxerdoodle’s parents were working dogs, the mixed breed has traits you will love as a companion dog! Boxerdoodles are friendly, affectionate, and with such a loving character that the entire family will enjoy. The designer breed is excellent with children, as they love to play and socialize with their loved ones!
Besides their devotion, Boxerdoodles are loyal and protective. While they won’t show aggression in typical situations, they will defend their home if they sense any threat or possible danger. The Boxerdoodle might act a bit shy or hostile towards strangers, but they won’t bite. Once they are familiar with the newcomer, the Boxerdoodle will open up and be his usual self!
Furthermore, Boxerdoodles are one of the trainable breeds the entire family will appreciate. They are brilliant with a strong work ethic. The only time a Boxer Poodle has a stubborn streak is if you fail to give them the proper training early on.
Boxerdoodle Health Issues
Boxerdoodles may be susceptible to some of their parents’ health issues. Here are the four significant health risks to watch out for:
- Von Willebrand’s Disease
- Hip Dysplasia
- Degenerative Myelopathy
- Bloat
- Entropion
- Cardiomyopathy
Some of these health conditions are hereditary, while others derive from other factors such as their food, environment, or sustained injuries. Fortunately, some of the health conditions are preventable or mitigated when treated early.
That’s why it’s crucial to have your pets up-to-date with their vaccines and take them to the vet for regular checkups.
Keep their health in check with proper diet and daily exercise as well. You can consult the vet regarding the type of food your Boxerdoodle should have and the amount required daily. As much as possible, opt for high-quality dog food (or even raw food) without unnecessary additives, fillers, and artificial colorings.
It’s best to go for dry dog food, which prevents poor dental health in dogs compared to the wet variety. Never feed your Boxer Poodle human food, which might negatively affect their health!
How to Care for a Boxerdoodle
Like its parents, the Boxer Poodle has a lot of positive energy and exercise needs. These dogs should get an hour of exercise with their high activity level, whether through walking, swimming, or indoor games. Make sure that they get just as much mental stimulation as they do with physical exercise. Just avoid vigorous exercise that can do them more harm than good.
Training a Boxer Poodle is a breeze because they carry the intelligence and energy level as their Poodle parents. However, make sure that you incorporate positive reinforcement rather than harsh and oppressive methods, which destroy your family pet’s love and confidence in you. Positive training methods will have your Boxer Poodle more encouraged to learn commands and complex tricks!
Start with housetraining and obedience training; then, you can head towards an agility training session, which they will enjoy. Because of this, a Boxer Poodle will thrive in houses with big yards. That said, a big yard isn’t necessary, and you can take them out on walks to the park!
Grooming is also a necessity for a Boxer Poodle to keep their coat healthy. Their grooming requirements depend on the coat type, but they usually require daily brushing and baths every 4-6 weeks. You may want to take your Boxer Poodle to a professional groomer for a full bath and clipping to maintain his coat length.
Besides brushing and baths, they also require their ears and eyes checked weekly and nail clippings every week or so.
How Much is a Boxer Poodle Mix?
So, how much is this designer dog breed?
When you purchase from a reputable breeder, a Boxer Poodle can cost $1,200 to $1,500.
Make sure you purchase Standard Boxer doodle puppies from reputable breeders. Ask about the parent breeds’ and puppies’ health records as well, so you know you are getting a healthy pup.
A responsible breeder would answer all queries and provide what you need, from certifications to visitation to their breeding area. However, getting puppies from a backyard breeder or puppy mills is sketchy. They only sell their puppies at low prices because of their inhumane breeding processes and unhealthy dogs!